1952 Topps #35 Hank Sauer
About Hank Sauer
Born in Pittsburgh in 1917 (d. 2001), Hank Sauer was signed off the sandlots by Yankee scout Gene McCann in 1937 and spent eight seasons grinding through the minors before sticking in the majors. A power-hitting left fielder, he played 15 big-league seasons for the Cincinnati Reds (1941, 1945-1949), Chicago Cubs (1949-1955), St. Louis Cardinals (1956), and New York Giants (1957-1959), batting .266 with 288 home runs and 876 RBI. His signature year came in 1952, when at age 35 he led the majors with 121 RBI and tied Ralph Kiner for the home-run crown with 37, earning National League MVP honors as the first winner ever from a second-division team (the Cubs finished fifth). A two-time NL All-Star, he won the 1952 All-Star Game with a two-run homer off Bob Lemon. Adored by Cubs fans, who tossed tobacco pouches to the chewing slugger from the left-field "Sauer section," he was nicknamed "The Mayor of Wrigley Field." This is a Series 1 card that exists with two back-color varieties (black and red printing on the reverse); Sauer was never elected to the Hall of Fame.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference · SABR
Variations & how to tell them apart
Black Back / Red Back Series 1 (cards 1-80)
Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
- Black Back — scarcer: First printing. Reverse printed in black ink. Scarcer, and typically carries a small premium over the red back.
- Red Back: Second printing onward. Reverse printed in red ink. The more common of the two.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 901 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 89 | 171 | 206 | 390 | 5 |
| SGC | 132 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 30 | 85 | 4 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 70 · Red Back 62
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half grades fold down for both graders (8.5→8); PSA qualified slabs (OC, ST, PD, MC and the like) are not counted. Totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Hank Sauer card?
It is card #35 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Chicago Cubs player.
Does the 1952 Topps Hank Sauer have back variations?
Yes. Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
Is the 1952 Topps Hank Sauer valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-10-05.